It seems every gamer harbours a dream to get his game idea to come to life. The process for bringing a game concept to a console is long and littered with unending hazards. How does it actually happen? When a designer comes up with a concept, it has to be original and exciting enough to get broad buy-in from a wide swath of staff. It also helps to have a license. And of course every game needs a compelling hook.
It’s not an easy task. But once the idea gets green-lit and funded, the process leads the concept down a production line. Many team members’ input and a “can’t fail” divining light must lead it to fruition. The final concept is often significantly different than the creative director’s original dream but usually it is the best fit for the product’s viability.
Once you get a winning formula and a game sells an acceptable amount of units, the title gains momentum and takes a life of its own. A winning title can get a sequel or even a series…a designers’ wet dream. By this time, we’re dealing with art. Examples are rare, but one that we’ve showcased is Arc the Lad. The Arc the Lad series achieved classic status and went on to become one of the most enduring RPGs on the PlayStation One computer entertainment system.
And today we present Arc the Lad III, the final instalment in the trilogy. This series follows the travails of its heroes who give you elegant and unwinding adventures. Use your intuition and verve to solve mysteries and unlock the last enigma. Arc the Lad III features a job-driven progressive system that promises hours of replay value that tie in with the trilogy’s compelling storyline! The game will be available on the PlayStation Network’s Classic section for the reasonable price of EU €4.99, £3.99.
Pick up your digital copy today and wonder in amazement at the incredible path an idea must travel in order to end up a classic in your hands. Don’t forget to follow us at @monkeypawgames on Twitter.
26 CommentsAdd Yours
1
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 10:02 am by Suzzopher
Excellent news! Can’t wait to finally play this. I played the first two on import many years ago, but never got round to playing the third
Now, I’ll have to wait for the Vita to become PSOne compatible >_>
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Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 10:47 am by CassyChan
Never expected you guys would bring all these games so quickly, I haven’t even got round to your release of the second game yet!
I agree with Suzzopher as well, looking forward to getting some Arc on my Vita! I saw on the MonkeyPaw Games twitter that the first game was featured on the PS Vita as one of the Classics displayed at the E3 booth too, along with FFVII and Wild Arms, can’t wait
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:04 am by Ray Almeda
Hey Cassy,
We got some good ole Sony love at E3. They had the Arc logo on the screen for the Vita-PSP announcement at Sony event and as you mentioned at the booth. So it was good to see. But even better was the announcement….backward compatibility! Yeah! Everyone knew it was coming but sure is good to hear.
3
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 10:50 am by Catkiller1
@ Ray
Thanks for this!
Also, Tomba is released on the US Store on the 19th June, will it appear within the EU on the 20th? I hope it sells well. I read if it does then you’ll attain the license for the sequel.
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:07 am by Ray Almeda
Hey Cat,
Good to see you posting here. Yeah, we hope good sales will extend the license in all directions (ie EU, Tomba 2 etc). This is one of the delicate lines we’re always facing. I’ve written many times about how sales are our only metric for determining what we get in the future. Since we’re not a big name, we just need to produce results and then the publishers will give us more. I’m pretty sure we’ll make a good impression here with Tomba but it is a good example of how we’re held hostage to seeing results before we can get more.
4
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 12:48 pm by CoolRichy008UK
ye we want both tomba,s give the usa rubbish insted
5
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 12:51 pm by Bealinator
Hope Tombi! gets a release, followed by the sequel. Hopefully when that day comes I have a proper working PS3 again or Vita gets PS1 compatability. Got to hate HDD developing a fault, but got to love the foresight of getting an extended warranty too!
6
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 1:30 pm by BigPaja
It’s great to see another game from Your range of Classics make it to the PAL region. I hope to eventually see everything that You’ve released in the US here as well. Keep it up! I don’t have any preferences but Yakiniku Bugyou and Kyuiin seem unusual and interesting enough to make me want to see them next.
I don’t know if I should be asking You to bring us Tombi! When Ross McGrath made that post about what it takes to bring a PS1 game to PSN, he mentioned that Tombi! is coming. Do You know if Sony is still working on the PAL version or if they had already dropped the ball without telling us? It’s just that I wouldn’t want You to make a redundant effort.
Anyway, I do want Tombi! If it comes from You or Sony itself is not the point. I’ll just be super happy to finally have it.
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:22 am by Ray Almeda
Thanks for the support Big Paja. You are right about Kyuiin and Yakiniku Bugyou. One of our goals is to bring the weird and wacky of Japan to the world and these two definitely fulfill. We also hope to bring you Rapid Angel and Dezaemon Kids, two more gems that won’t disappoint. Its really fun to determine which games we bring over because when we play test them, its obvious that these games have something unique and addicting. So please take them for a spin. I’m sure you’ll agree.
Tomba (or Tombi for EU fans) is in our license portfolio. We have a deal with the original creators and with Sony. So if it does come, it will be by MonkeyPaw. We are now waiting on US sales to solidify a EU launch. And the game would need to clear emulation (not a given!) before we can release it to the EU store.
Anyway, we’re feeling good based on the fan support we’ve received since our announcement but EU release is still not a done deal. Hope to have more information for you soon!
7
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 2:10 pm by CassyChan
@BigPaja, MonkeyPaws are bringing it to us:
http://monkeypawgames.com/2012/05/platforming-adventure-tomba-making-its-return-to-the-playstationnetwork/
Tombi!/Tomba! is amazing, everyone should buy the digital release, regardless of what genres of games they’re into, everyone should play and enjoy it, it’s aged incredibly well too. Not to derail this comments section furhter though, as Arc III is awesome as well
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:23 am by Ray Almeda
Thanks Cassy! You deserve a commission for that one!!!
8
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 2:23 pm by BigPaja
Also, what are Your plans for the future? Would You be willing to bring us games like Bishi Bashi Special 3, the original King’s Field, LSD, Lunar 1 & 2, the Mega Man games or Romance of the Three Kingdoms 4, 5 & 6?
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:30 am by Ray Almeda
Bishi Bashi Special 3 – Konami is tough to license from but we have a great relationship so it just might work sometime.
King’s Field- want it but the economics don’t make sense. From wants us to do it for free.
LSD- big on our list. Licensing problems but hope to work it out.
Lunar- Always on our top list. We have the English language rights so it will have to go through us most likely.
MegaMan- that’s Capcom…up to them.
Three Kingdoms- We haven’t tried for this one but thanks! We’ll go after it.
9
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 2:59 pm by dgnfly
hi ray,
i was wondering if you still planning for the other older one’s that are still missing? don’t wanna sound negative but just don’t wanna see them forgot for a european publishing.
with the nightmare off publishing anything japanese these days in europe is like hell on earth.been 2 disappointed by the lack off japanese games for psp on our store.
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:32 am by Ray Almeda
Hi Dgnfly,
Good to see you here again. Don’t worry, we won’t forget you! Lots more coming this year. We should put out at least 6-8 games for you over the next 6months. I can’t announce yet because we need to clear emulation first but the games are queued up.
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Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 3:08 pm by Lenomy
Alundra.
Please.
<3
(I speak for the entire European Playstation Community)
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:34 am by Ray Almeda
And yes, that one just might be in the queue! But emulation is a very tricky process. Many titles don’t get through for whatever reason. If they don’t there isn’t a lot of recourse, bar a firmware fix. But that is not likely for most games. We just hold our breath and wait! Hope to have news on a few more titles soon.
11
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 3:46 pm by SuGaR_rAy_RiDeR
Great to see new imports hit the store, shame no other publisher is willing to release digital imports at this time. Would love to see the Alundra series released!
12
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 3:58 pm by bashforking
is that sephiroth i see?:s
13
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 7:12 pm by Skookie30
I’m late for the party i just watch england draw with france 1 – 1
@ Ray
you did good yeah for last arc the lad see imports do work if done right.
plus like bigpa & i with others said please release lunar-1 silver-star story complete & lunar-2 eternal blue complete.
thanks
14
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 10:04 pm by azakajam
Why is Sephiroth on the botom right.
Haha I joke, I actually haven’t played any of the Arc the Lad games, I didn’t know they were that good for the whole series (unless there are more) to be brought out xD
Anyway, I’d like to ask when the next firmware update for Vita is coming out? The one that has PS1 compatibility? It’d be nice to have a specific date! Thanks.
And on the subject of Tombi! being released, I hope they don’t, because Sony is already killing me with kindess with all these free games PS Plus members are getting, and if they added Tombi! to that the amazing amount of nostalgia I’ll get may hospitalise me.
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:36 am by Ray Almeda
Yeah, a lot of free stuff for PS Plus members for sure. Not sure if that is good for little guys like us. We can’t do much of it unless Sony foots the tab. But its good for you guys! Just hope you guys keep a little spare change for a JP gem!
15
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 11:40 pm by HouseQuake
Adore Monkey Paw games!
Don’t forget Tombi, Monkey Paw!
“When a designer comes up with a concept, it has to be original and exciting enough to get broad buy-in from a wide swath of staff.”
Lol, definitely not true today in a sea of war shooters etc!
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:37 am by Ray Almeda
Yeah, I guess those lines can be interpreted in a variety of ways!
Thanks for reading though. Blood anyone?
16
Posted on 11 June, 2012 at 11:58 pm by Kuja84
and for your next classic game: breath of fire 4 in the EU!
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:38 am by Ray Almeda
That again is a Capcom question. They are the only one’s beside Sony and us on the Import store so maybe they’ll comply.
17
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 2:59 am by Stud_Kick_Ass
This comment is more for those who submit the store updates but please let us get some more PS1 classics that the US store has.
They have about 10x the PS1 classics that the EU/AU has, I want to play Spyro on my Vita when PS1 compatibility finally comes.
18
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 3:00 am by Stud_Kick_Ass
Oh but I should say I love the work you do MonkeyPaw.
19
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 10:12 am by Catkiller1
@ Ray
Thanks for your reply!
I know Square Enix are a hard company to reason with, but could you try & secure Brave Fencer Musashi & Dragon Warrior VII?
Thanks…..I know it won’t happen…..right?
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 10:14 am by Ray Almeda
Hey Cat,
Yep, probably won’t happen. Until they start losing money
That could change everything!
20
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 10:20 am by Catkiller1
@ Ray
We can only hope that they lose some money then……I guess??
21
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 10:41 am by Catkiller1
@ Ray
Sorry to keep pestering but what about Parappa The Rapper, Bust A Groove (Not Move) 1 & 2, Lunar series, Persona Series, Harmful Park, Skullmonkeys, Zanac X Zanac, VIB Ribbon, X-COM UFO Defense, Discworld Series, Herc’s Adventures, Hogs Of War, Ape Escape, Team Buddies, Medievil 2, Croc 1 & 2, Diablo, Final Doom, Duke Nukem, Hexen, Quake 2, Die Hard Trilogy 1 & 2, Forsaken, Descent, Saga Frontier, Azure Dreams, Crusader The Last Remorse, Wild 9, Silent Bomber, Colony Wars Series, G-Police 2, Heart Of Darkness, Vigilante 8 & 2nd Offense, Felony 11-79, Buster Bros Collection, Galerians, Thousand Arms, Broken Sword to name a few
Are there any in the pipeline that i’ve mentioned? Especially Parappa & Bust A Groove!
Posted on 13 June, 2012 at 2:33 am by Ray Almeda
Cat,
Great list. Some new ones duly noted. There are a couple that are getting close to deals so your diligence will pay off. Can’t say which ones they are but it won’t be Parappa or Bust a Grove, at least not yet. Lunar, Harmful Park, Zanac, VIB Ribbon have all be on our long term roadmap but each have licensing problems. We’ll keep trying on all of them but expect 2 with announcement within this year.
22
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 12:00 pm by CassyChan
Haha, thanks for the response Ray, I’m always happy to promote Tombi! Definitely one of my favourite games!
Like other have already mentioned, I’d also like to see Alundra on the PS Store, like Tombi! (and BoF IV that was also mentioned earlier) it’s another one that’s aged well thanks to the art style and good gameplay. I also have really fond memories of the story too, great game.
23
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 3:01 pm by Lenomy
Now this is classy!
Many replies with good answers, thank you!
Posted on 13 June, 2012 at 2:35 am by Ray Almeda
Thanks for noticing that. I noticed it too. Very well done, crew! Civility has its charms!
24
Posted on 12 June, 2012 at 9:21 pm by PREYDRAGON
@ Catkiller1
Team Buddies, Kings Field and Hogs of War are 3 awesome games and somebody needs to bring these out onto the EU PSN store.
I agree with Ray about Konami being tough to license as they need to license and let the yugioh games get released onto the EU store, these are:
PS1 Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories,
PS2 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses,
Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monster Coliseum
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force Evolution
PSP Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 3
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 4
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 6
Posted on 13 June, 2012 at 2:36 am by Ray Almeda
Okay, time to get back to Konami! YuGiOh needs some love. We’ll work on it.
Posted on 13 June, 2012 at 2:36 am by Ray Almeda
Okay, time to get back to Konami. YuGiOh needs some love. We’ll get on it.
25
Posted on 14 June, 2012 at 1:40 am by PREYDRAGON
@ ray Almeda
I think the main ones to try and ask Konami is the PS1 and PS2 yuigoh games. If you can make this happen and bring these out onto PSN store, You will make so many people happy. PS3 at present is the only console that doesn’t have a yugioh game title.
PS2 Yugioh The Duelists of the Roses is the well awaited game i wish for ^_^
Thanks ray for all the work you do.
26
Posted on 26 June, 2012 at 8:13 am by berflynn25
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